Saturday, June 20, 2009

Are Energy Drinks Healthy

Caffeine's principal mode of action is as an a...Image via Wikipedia




Energy drinks are typically attractive to young people. Energy drinks are marketed primarily to people between the ages of 18 and 30 as a stimulant, which is why energy drinks have names that convey strength, power, and speed, and sexuality, examples: Red Bull, Monster, Full Throttle, Amp, XS, Redline, Rock Star, and Spark. Energy drinks are soft drinks advertised as providing energy to improve physical activity of the drinker, as compared to a typical drink. Energy drinks are not necessarily bad for you, but they shouldn't be seen as natural alternatives either. Energy drinks are sold in grocery stores, convenience stores, bars, clubs, and in some areas, even schools. Energy Drinks are definitely not healthy for you. Energy drinks are generally safe, but like most things, you should drink them in moderation. Energy drinks are beverages which contain legal stimulants, vitamins, and minerals, including caffeine, guarana, taurine, various forms of ginseng, maltodextrin, carnitine, creatine, and ginkgo biloba. Energy drinks are not the optimal drinks to quench your thirst as a result of dehydration. Energy drinks are not only popular among athletes: they're also being consumed by young people who want to be more alert.
Energy
Energy Drinks Contain Caffeine. Red Bull, one of the most popular energy drinks, contains nearly 80 mg of caffeine per can, about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of brewed coffee and twice the caffeine as a cup of tea. Energy Drinks Should Not Be Consumed During Exercise. Energy drinks should not be confused with sports drinks like Gatorade, which are consumed to help people stay hydrated during exercise. Energy drinks' stimulating properties can boost the heart rate and blood pressure (sometimes to the point of palpitations), dehydrate the body, and, like other stimulants, prevent sleep. Energy drinks claim to provide people with increased energy levels that will keep them active & alert. Energy drinks can be effective aids in maintaining energy and alertness. Energy drinks, however, are loaded with calories from sugar and those that claim they are sugar free have a sugar substitute. Energy drinks should not be used for replenishing fluids at any age. Energy drinks have added caffeine and other ingredients that their manufacturers say increase stamina and boost performance. Energy drinks can have a harmful effect if they're abused.
Caffeine
Caffeine in energy drinks come in many different forms depending on the brand that you choose. Caffeine, the main ingredient in energy drinks, isn't directly toxic to the heart. Caffeine containing drinks and other such temporary stimulants are not safe. Caffeine can increase your blood pressure, and sometimes impair blood flow to your heart. Caffeine, like alcohol, is a diuretic that promotes fluid loss. Caffeine is a drug that is easily accessed by people of any age, especially teens. Caffeine is a known stimulant that can temporarily alleviate a sense of sluggishness. Caffeine affects the levels of dopamine, a chemical in the brain's pleasure center. Caffeine works by blocking the effects of adenosine, a brain chemical involved in sleep. Caffeine is a diuretic that causes more urine output and enhances dehydration. Caffeine is also addictive, therefore the athlete may require higher and higher doses to achieve the same caffeine high. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that when consumed, may make the athlete feel more energized.
Sports
Sports drinks and energy beverages often are regarded as one and the same. Sports drinks, like energy drinks, are high in sugars, but they do not contain caffeine. Sports drinks are designed to replenish fluids lost during activity. Sports energy drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade are advertised as fluid replacements for athletes. Sports drinks are intended to replenish electrolytes, sugars, water and other nutrients and are usually isotonic (containing the same proportions as found in the human body).
Conclusion
Energy drinks are carbonated beverages that contain large amounts of caffeine and sugar along with other ingredients, such as B vitamins, amino acids such as taurine and herbal stimulants such as guarana and ginseng. Energy drinks are currently enjoying a growth in popularity and marketing presence, and newcomers to the scene seem to be popping up constantly. Energy drinks are non-alcoholic, often lightly carbonated beverages that are designed to give the consumer a burst of energy by the addition of a number of energy enhancing ingredients, most notably caffeine. Energy drinks are everywhere nowadays, tempting us from the refrigerated section with their mega portions of caffeine and natural energy enhancers. Energy drinks are all the rage because they give a boost of energy on the go. Energy Drinks are a $96 Billion a year industry in the USA. Energy drinks are not good for you. Energy drinks make big promises, but once you cut through the hype and look past the flashy packaging, you'll find what you're really getting is a stiff dose of liquid caffeinated candy. Nutritionally speaking, energy drinks are comparable to soda.



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